Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Wire-insertion -- When the BS first mentioned them a few days before surgery, I was WHAT??? The aids/residents/nurses didn't do much to reassure me! But I came to this board and asked about it and learned all about it, and that helped!
At first I thought--is this something weird I have to do because my cancer is something strange? But no... it's basically an aid to the surgeon so they can more precisely judge where the edges of the tumor are--and that's something you WANT them to know, right? Before, I was wondering if they were just sort of guessing!
Mine was done in the same building as my surgery, just down a floor. I was wheeled around behind the scenes, so I didn't have to dress again and go out in public, so to speak. I don't think I got offered a Valium, but take it if you think you might need it. I was fine without. I get nervous talking to people, but by the time of my surgery, I was just so used to all of this nasty cancer business that I kind of didn't care any more (I had chemo first; once you go through that, the rest was a bit of a walk in the park).
The wire insertions are done using a mammogram machine, but with a set-up so they can squish your breast while having an opening so they can stick the wires in. I think that's done with wires in hollow needles--the wires are super-thin and flexible. They told me to look away and I did, and aside from the numbing shots, I didn't feel a thing. It took a while, though, and the specialized doctor who did it kept apologizing to me, too, be I still didn't feel anything, so I didn't care if it was hard to get the placements right--I just wanted them done correctly so I had good margins and didn't need more surgery! They discovered some areas of calcifications nearby the tumor and noted that down for the surgeon. And I needed three wires... maybe 4, but can't even remember now! (Surgery was May 8.)
I was seated all the time and there was a cushioned rest for my arm, so no need to hold myself or arm up.
The wires were padded around by gauze and could be bent over with gauze and my hospital gown put over it, so I didn't look freaky being wheeled around the halls.
Went back to the pre/post-op bays/bed after that, went in to the OR soon after and was totally out until I woke up back in the post-op bed.
I felt a bit of pain and they gave me pain-killers and I was fine. Got released, got driven home. Had a surgical bra over gauze over surgical tape over my two incisions (only one or two inches long) that were closed with dissolving stitches. They gave me an ice pack to put on it for the way home and that evening. Also had filled pain prescription for me. I took those for the next 4 days while I rested, until my Post-op appointment.
Herceptin -- I only had heart tests (MUGU and echo-cardiogram) while I was getting chemo (taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin and Perjeta). Oh, and I think I had an ekg before my LX, right? I've been on Herceptin every 3 weeks since chemo ended. If there are some SEs happening, I can't tell at all. I had SEs during chemo, so I might still be thinking I'm recovering from that instead of counting them as due to the Herceptin, but whatever it is, it's pretty much negligible compared to what chemo was doing. And I'm also getting RT, so again, hard to tell what might be causing what... (and still not as bad as chemo). I DO seem to have a sniffly nose sometimes. Could just be allergies, though. I have some diarrhea, but it's getting better and during chemo it was so bad I had to be hospitalized. My energy is much better compared to chemo, so I haven't noted any fatigue (although I need a nap sometimes--but RT can cause fatigue). Anyway. no problems that I can tell from the Herceptin.
I'd say, just try it. If SEs do crop up the doctors can adjust your dose or take you off of it.
Lymphodema and lifting things -- Hmmm... I haven't been paying attention to what I've been lifting at all after the restrictions right after my LX went out of effect. I never had any pain there, so I totally forgot to pay attention. I only had 2 nodes taken out during my SNB. I wasn't told about watching what I was doing with that arm... Just how likely is lymphodema with a SNB? Should I worry about lifting stuff? And what symptoms do I need to watch for? (I've been so caught up with the radiation, I haven't been paying attention to other stuff!)
Scuba-diving -- I've never done it, but it's kind of cool to hear you all talking about it. So nice to hear people talking about something they enjoy on these boards!
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April, apparently the LE is something we have to watch for all our lives. I was surprised when my BS told me that last visit. I thought that if I didn't have problems after 9 months, I probably wouldn't. She said not real likely but a possibility. I find that I have to stretch that arm regularly or it feels "funny" - rather tight, just unusual. And that takes care of it.
HUGS!
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Ringelle, you were wondering about BS and knowing about clean margins after surgery. My BS used a newer FDA approved technology called the margin probe. In laymen's terms that I know. The BS removes the tumor and then moves this probe along the edges of the sample. The probe lets the surgeon know if it detects an area with cancer and then the BS can go back and take more tissue during surgery and try again etc.... I know the technology is not full proof and some reexcisions have to be done. But, I guess it has cut way down on that happening. My surgeon also felt Clean margins from my Lx last Thursday but I think my prelim path report might be in tomorrow. So I will see
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PontiacPeggy -- Lifting my arm above my head felt a bit more 'normal' before all the RTs. It's a little tighter now. (And redder!) I'm hoping it's just the radiation. But, hey, could be the incision and the SNB and all, too. ... I'm wondering if I'm just not paying attention to things they are telling me re: the LE. I know it can be a risk. But what to do and not do about it, I don't remember anyone telling me. Maybe I need to go back and read the reams of hand-outs I keep getting before each kind of treatment and procedure!!!
plumster1 -- Interesting about that new tech for making sure of margins! I feel for those who have had to go back to surgery after having margins that weren't clear. Saving people from having to do that would be a great thing!
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April, I had no problem holding my arm above my head for RT. (But I sure was creaky getting off the table!). I didn't get materials telling me to stretch after my Lx (not sure why) but I knew what to do because I had devoured all the posts on this thread and had gotten invaluable information. So I stretch my bad arm whenever it feels "fat" or tight (2 separate things). This fat feeling is strange. I notice it when I have my arms straight down close to my side and my left underarm will feel like there's something plump there. Stretching makes it go away. BC just keeps giving
HUGS!
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My BS said no restrictions two weeks after surgery. He said if anything hurts, stop doing it. I have recently gone back to my weight training class (called Body Pump), but I use very light weights or none at all, depending on the exercise.
There is an article on this site that talks about progressive weight training after surgery.
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April25 - the worst part about my wire-insertion (and LX) was at the very end, the nurse stepped on the pedal to release the machine's grip and accidentally stepped on the wrong pedal. Instead it clamped me even harder and ended up bruising my inner breast! The first couple of days following my LX I for the life of me couldn't figure out why I was bruised in that area and then the memory came back!
Octogirl/Plumster - Thanks for the feedback about the margins at the time of surgery. My BS was very confident after the first surgery but it was instinct on information he had available to him about what he got and what he knew he was going after. I think my DCIS threw him for a bit of a loop a bit when it came back extensive and with positive margins. As he put it - he went after an olive but took out a nice big chunk - thought he had taken more than enough! DH said BS wasn't as confident after this last surgery. I really like the sounds of the new technology. I wish we had access to it. My last results were derailed because of the 4th of July Holiday. My procedures and pathology are all done at the Military Hospital. My surgery was on a Friday and results were available it looks like late Wednesday (a board meets to talk about and review the pathology) My BS was then out of town and I didn't get the results until the day before my 2 week post op! This time there's no holiday and BS is hopeful to call me at the end of the week. I do know that my BS likes to call with results because it gives me time to process before meeting with him. That's what I love about him. (that and his boyish grin and accent)
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Two questions today! Anyone dealing with a Seroma or recovering from a re-excision? The recovery seems to be taking longer this time. I'm not in pain - just uncomfortable - mainly because my boob is talking to me by ways of water sloshing! (Seroma) Anyway - my biggest compaint is that my head is fuzzy! I'm only taking motrin - I only took pain meds at night last night. My body is active and ready to go but my head is out of it! Anyone experiencing the same? Any advice?
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I am not expecting to hear anything until my post op appointment on Aug 6th. BS already told me she doesn't give results over the phone. She likes to do so in person. I am hoping we will have the BRACA1/2 results that day as well. I finally got added to their online health records system so I could see the results of blood work and my chest xray. Also my appointments and the ability to email my doctors. Okay, lots to do today.
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Molly,
My LX was May 22. I went back to work on 6/8, which, for me was a day or two tooearly.
I am now on radiation, which started 7/8. Today is 14/33 treatments. This has been much harder for me than I expected, and I am now out on short term disability due to the pain and fatigue. I am allowed to work 4 hours a day, so I go in 2 days a week, and try to work from home the other 3. My commute is 80 miles round trip.
I do have my follow appointment scheduled for 9/24 with the RO and MO, and I assume this is when I will start tamoxifen.
Cheers and good luck,
~Midgie
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This is my first day back at work and so far my day has been so much easier than the past week (LX and SNB was on 7/17)! Maybe because I'm not moving around a lot (office work), it's peaceful here, I have the distractions of my work, which I enjoy, and I am not distracted by tasks to do around the house, or worrying thoughts about possible treatment options.
At my office, I am free to not think about anyone else in my family, so I haven't really felt any guilt or obligation to be strong or organized and to put on a brave face. I didn't realize how exhausting that could be at times. Don't get me wrong, I love my family more than anything, but I think we women are the glue-or the leaders-more often than we realize.
Having said all that, just got off the phone with the MO's PA who wants to reschedule me for next week due to repeat testing for Her2.
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Hi ringelle, I think our LX's were the same day. I don't think I have any seroma because I don't feel any sloshing but I do agree i felt fuzzy headed after .... which I attribute to the anesthesia and pain meds. I have only been on Tylenol at night the past couple days and so it has cleared up some of the cobwebs.0
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Ringelle (and whomever else might be wondering as well): I'm in the recovery process after my re-excision, and I know I'm having a harder time of it than after the first. More swelling, more pain, more redness. Some of that might have been the irritation from staples, some from the simple 'second surgery close on the heels of the first'.. I'm not sure if I've got a seroma--no sloshing--but came away from the BS and RO with the impression that I was at the "irritated" end of normal healing, but nothing to worry about.
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I sloshed like a half full sippy cup for about two weeks.
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Tresjoli2 - Yes - that's exactly it! Whew - I hope it's only two weeks! There is hope yet! It's been the most disturbing thing yet!
Queenmomcat - "irritated" end of normal healing - that's a funny but accurate statement. I don't think the body likes being put under so close together. I think it really messes with all systems the second time.
Plumster - I didn't realize you had the re-excision the same day! The fuzzy head thing is not fun. I took meds last night to hopefully sleep better but I'm going to go to tylenol and motrin to see if I can clear my head up. Hubby still doesn't want me to go back to work tomorrow. I"m going to go in for a couple hours and then head home. I just feel the need to check on things and see my babies! (I miss my preschoolers so much when I don't get to see them)
Sweetmamaj - Glad to hear your return to work was a smooth one. Isn't it crazy that sometimes we feel more at peace at work than at home? After my first surgery my mom was here from California and while I loved having her here - I felt so responsible to take care of her (she doesn't get around well) It was actually a relief to go back to work.
Molly50 - peace to you while you wait on results. How are you doing with the wait? What are you doing to keep yourself busy?
Midgiemoon - glad you worked out something with work - 80 miles round trip is not a fun commute - is it in traffic too? Glad they are working with you. What about rads do you think is taking the biggest toll and causing the most fatigue. My RO said he doesn't think rads causes fatigue but the extra strain on your daily schedule that causes it. I don't tend to believe this - I'm sure the appointments added to the schedule doesn't help but I'm thinking he is feeding me a line. How long are your round trip treatments? What time of day do you go? Hang in there - get good rest!
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Ringelle, I think you win the Awesome prize of the day for giving a shout out to so many folks in one post! I think that I can safely say; "thank you" from the Lounge.
Hope your head clears up soon; I was loopy after taking a muscle relaxer and would frown at my statements in a comical way--at least that what some of my friends told me-ha! Also hope seeing your babies at preschool puts a new smile on your face and gives motivation to think positive thoughts.
Yes, work can be a nice escape. I remember years ago when when my mother-in-law had an extended visit (months) with us, that I became incredibly busy at my office!
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I'm sure there's a more medically accurate term for that! But I sure don't know what it is.
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Ringelle,
I work 40 miles from home, but am being treated 5 minutes from home. My treatments have been at 330 in the afternoon, and then I go home. The treatment lasts about 2 minutes once they set me up.
My ROs assistant and my nurse keep telling me how much my body is going through, and that is why I am so tired. I can say my skin is itchy, I hate aquaphor, and I miss my good bras!
Today was my first 4 hour work day. The traffic isn't too bad since school is out. If school is in it can be a 90 minute ride each way. I have been doing it in 50. I think I will only go in s few days a week, I'll see how I feel tomorrow after doing it 2 days in a row...
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My first lumpectomy was June 5th, then revised along with sentinel node surgery on July 10. Both were on Fridays and I returned to work on Tuesday. The healing is going pretty well, but I'm cautious about some potential lymphedema...
The first surgery day was tough. I was more tense & overwhelmed than I realized. The wire loc was not fun (apparently dense breasts can make it more painful.) Wish I had known to ask for something to calm me. But they talked me through it and it took less time than I anticipated.
Then I had severe burning from the anesthesia. It did NOT feel like the "2 glasses of wine" she compared it to! Haha! In recovery, the pain med didn't stay down. After 3 hours of vomiting, we drove home through rush hour. I didn't eat until the next afternoon. A rough day, but great surgical results.
My second time around, I was ready to make sure it went better! I was much more assertive and clear about my issues and pursuing what could be done about them. This time I felt like part of the team, instead of having all of this stuff "done to me". Still nervous about the anesthesia, I made a point to talk with everyone in the OR and not let tension stay internal. The team was great; problems got solved. Better med choices for my needs. Before I knew it, I was home in record time, laughing & hungry.
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Two glasses of wine? Have these people not undergone general anesthesia? Wow. But good for you for being more assertive and communicative the second time. May there be no more for you or any of us!
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After reading some of the comments here, I'm so glad that the cancer surgery center I went to was all out for making my Lx the smoothest, least upsetting, least painful experience ever. Everything was done to accomplish those ends. A valium first thing and I figured if they offer it, then definitely take it. Loads of lidocaine for the wire locator which wasn't bad. Heated surgery gown. A dramamine to prevent nausea. More lidocaine for the tracer for the lymph nodes and the surgeon did that - not painful.
I wasn't nauseous after surgery AT ALL and I was surprised (yeah dramamine!). Took the pain pill and had no problems with it either (rather surprised me). Then Tylenol.
It is sad when I read others don't have such a caring experience. We have enough drama going on without making the surgery less than stellar.
HUGS!
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I should have checked in weeks ago for that hug, Peggy. Thanks!
What I've learned is to trust my instincts, even though I had never been through any of this before. The things that made me nervous got worse by being quiet (stoic) about it. I'm not a complainer, and I've never had a major medical issue myself. I'm used to being the caregiver. This experiencehas been foreign. I'm learning how to do this for myself (and also learning to always have my back up person close by too!)
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Horsegirl, there are a lot of tough lessons we learn early on. But we learn them well and remember them. My big thing is to write down my questions as I think of them for each doctor. I do it in a word processor, save the file with the doc's name and the date of the visit. Then I print it out for my visit. When I get back, I type that info into that file so it is always there.
Please help us help you but filling out your profile (Dx, Tx, etc) and make it public. The more we know about you and your particulars the better our answers will be. Where are you located?
Since the hugs are late, I'll just send a WHOLE BUNCH OF HUGS right now!
HUGS!
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Hi all...
Since you are giving out lots of hugs today, Peggy, can I have some? Definitely had a not great day: I've been in more pain than usual at the incision sites (particularly phantom pain from my nipple which was removed along with the Lx);, and my back hurts: not a lot but just enough to be annoying: it feels stiff and I attribute that to all the lying around, even though I did walk this am; I am getting anxious about meeting with MO Monday (just want to know what is coming in treatment and get this show on the road); and on top of everything else the Giants just lost, losing out on their chance to pull into first place in their Division against the Dodgers (have I mentioned I am a big baseball/Giants fan?).
In other words, nothing big, just a bunch of "small" stuff that adds up and is getting to me today. Feeling crappy AND cranky. Off to bed and hope tomorrow goes well for all of you and better for me! Thanks for letting me have a mini pity party!
Octo
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Hi Octogirl-
I hope you feel better tomorrow. I know the waiting really gets to me. I thought I was getting my path today but no call. So all that pent up anxiety with no where to go. So big Hugs!
Ps...I grew up a giants fan and see the MO Monday too.0 -
Octogirl/Plumster - I'm right there with you both! Today was not a great day and it refuses to end!!!!! I've been trying to sleep and it's not happening. I'm sore and sloshing around and it's driving me batty! Here's to hope that we all have a better day tomorrow! Plumster - I hope you get the call tomorrow! I'm not even hoping for a call until Friday - maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised earlier! Hugs to you Octo! I hope you feel better in the morning!
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Argh, the waiting! The tension and feeling of life being on hold is agonizing. Hope you get good news today.
I haven't had the sloshing experience, but definately can sense a difference in density. Overall, the surgical result is way better than I imagined though. That surgical bra was my best friend for a while, especially when I got back to my normal exercise, like riding. It took a few weeks for the bouncing to feel comfortable again. I still am not allowed to lift more than 10 pounds yet because of sentinel nodes. -- Doing things I love is the best therapy.
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Looks like I need to stretch my arms a whole lot this morning with so many of you needing HUGS and a bit of cheering up.
Octogirl, those nerves are going crazy with you and it will be awhile before they settle down and quit bothering you. Doesn't make it any easier to cope with though, does it? I suspect that part of your back pain is due to the SLNB. That seems to effect all sorts of body parts. Remember to gently stretch that side regularly. Have you gotten your Onctotype results yet? It's hard not knowing what your treatments will be. Just think positive and remember that you are strong and can do whatever it takes to KILL CANCER. I know that sounds trite but that doesn't make it less true, nor does that make it easy. BTW, I really don't care that your Giants lost. I have enough problems with my self-destructing Tigers!!! HUGS!
Plumster (and fellow 23rder), I sure hope you get your path report today. Waiting sucks. Fingers crossed. HUGS
Ringelle, hope you get your call soon. Sleep is very good. Sometimes it is very hard to turn off our overactive brains. HUGS
Horsegirl, Do baby that bad side. But glad you are riding again. It can take up to a year for your breast to find its new normal. I never had sloshing and you may not either. HUGS
And more HUGS to all of you wonderful ladies. You've been my support system and I want to pay it forward.
HUGS!
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Horsegirl, so sorry about your first experience. If your hospital sends out a patient satisfaction survey,please fill it out so they can improve the process. Administrators DO pay attention to these as they do not want to lose your business . My hospital changed many protocols due to patient feedback. If you do not get a survey, please call the hospital public relations office and see who you can speak to. You shouldn't have to go through a bad experience to get to a good one. It seems like those interventions should have been offered from the get go!
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Hi horsegirl, I also have dense breasts and after the wire loc and nuclear ned injections, they taped my wires up and then walked me outside to the hospital shuttle bus to take me to the surgery building! I got off the shuttle and found the surgical tech who was supposed to meet me, staring at her cellphone. I too had the horrible post op nausea--that yucky out of control feeling is something I don't deal with very well. Dispite my latex allergy precaution at the hospital, I ended up contact dermatitis on my scalp from the surgical cap as well as the surgical bra, but luckily I have tons of sports bras that don't bother me. Im just happy that chapter is (hopefully) over, and now I just have to wait for the outcome of my Her2 and then will finally know what kind of treatment to look forward to. Yea!
Pontiac, love your file notes idea! But (chuckles and hugs), weren't you saying you were the antithesis of Type A? I'm so glad your surgery center was such a positive and easy experience for you. Had I known that I had to travel several blocks with wires sticking out of my boob, I would have had DH stay with me instead of sending him off to work.
I tend to clean when anxious, since my Her2 results probably will take another week (!) I've been vacuuming up a storm. Thankfully I have a central vac so its not heavy. And my 2 dogs and 2 cats thoughtfully leave lot of fur balls to find.
. Another day at work and then I drive 2hrs to the airport for a 6:30am flight to Purdue Univ for son's 4-day swim meet. Wish me luck girls!
Sending hugs andpositive energy your way! Sweetmama
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